Students and Schools

Every person seeking positive life change needs the love and support of family, friends, the community, and the church. Students, in particular, should have a safe environment to seek the help they want and need without fear. After all, our children need a climate of compassion and inclusion, not contempt and exclusion.

That is why PFOX asks the question to students and schools: if only one part of you has gay feelings, should your whole life be gay identified?

Many people would agree that just because one part of you feels a certain way, it doesn’t mean your entire identity is that way. Having feelings of same-sex attraction may make you feel different. We all feel the need to fit in and be accepted. No one should identify themselves based on sexual feelings alone. There is more to your identity than your sexual attractions.

Thousands of ex-gay men and women had those very same feelings in school. Some of your friends had those very same feelings. Feeling different is no fun. You may have heard, “You must be gay!” But no one should be labeled “gay” based on the perception of others. Educate yourself! Uncover the origins of your same-sex attraction. Why do I have these feelings? Where did they come from?

The decision of a prom date, a car, or whether or not to super-size those fries can be based on a feeling, but IMPORTANT decisions should not be made on feelings alone. In order to make an educated decision, you have to be informed! Sexuality develops over time. It is not necessary to label yourself today.

Before deciding to identify yourself as gay or lesbian, consider:

There is no evidence showing that the origins of same-sex attractions are genetic—In other words, your feelings of same-sex attraction are mostly tied to your history, not your genes.

Many men and women who adopted a gay identity early in their lives later realized that being gay did not reflect who they truly are. They are known as “ex-gays.”

A growing number of teens with same-sex attraction are looking beyond a gay identity to define who they are.

Although your same-sex attraction may feel like a gay identity, a gay identity may not fit into who you are. If you are not happy with same-sex attraction or a gay identity, there is help. Find out for yourself. Get the facts!

Find out who you truly are! Be informed before you decide. Before adopting a gay identity, get smart! Get the facts!

Explore the origins of your same-sex attraction

If only one part of you has gay feelings, should your whole life be gay identified? Thousands of ex-gay men and women had those very same feelings in school. No one should be labeled “gay” based on the perception of others.

Having feelings of same-sex attraction may make you feel different. We all feel the need to fit in and be accepted. No one should identify themselves based on sexual feelings alone. There is more to your identity than your sexual attractions.

DID YOU KNOW?

Schools that address the issue of sexual orientation must present all of the facts in a fair and balanced manner. According to Public Schools and Sexual Orientation Consensus Guidelines, school officials are urged to include the viewpoints of all participants in order to develop policies that promote fairness for all. Actions by educators to exclude some views merely because they disagree with them constitute viewpoint discrimination in violation of the First Amendment. Therefore, the ex-gay viewpoint in public schools is protected by the First Amendment and should be heard. These Guidelines are endorsed by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), American Association of School Administrators, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, and the First Amendment Center.

Kevin Jennings, former Assistant Deputy Secretary for Safe and Drug-Free Schools of the U.S. Department of Education, the National Educators Association (NEA) Ex-Gay Educators Caucus, and the American College of Pediatricians all support ex-gay equal access to schools.